Boys hoops tally third straight win

The Outlaws recorded two league wins this past week to push their record to 3-0. Sisters defeated the Sweet Home Huskies 46-42 at home on Tuesday, January 20, and three days later defeated Junction City (JC) at home 43-32.

Sisters earned the win on Tuesday against Sweet Home, but it was definitely not the prettiest game.

The Outlaws took an early lead in the first with the aid of an excellent defensive effort. From there, Sisters offense slowed down, but at the half they still held a slim 21-20 advantage. Sisters played a good third quarter and out-scored the Huskies by four, which gave them a five-point lead heading into the final period.

In the final quarter, the Outlaws defense lagged on transition, Sweet Home senior Hunter Jutte took advantage, hit three deep shots from behind the arc, and made it a very close game.

Connor Schaab and Justin Harrer hit their shots down the stretch, which gave the Outlaws a narrow margin of victory.

Coach Rand Runco stated, "It was a good effort, but not our best performance."

Schaab led the Outlaws in scoring with 12 points, and Harrer followed with 11. Steen Johnson recorded eight points and Ben Larson added six. Sweet Home's Jutte led all scoring with 22 points.

At home three days later, Sisters recorded their third-straight league win with a victory over the Junction City Tigers.

The Outlaws were down three players due to illness and injuries, but stayed tough defensively and gained control of the game after a slow start. Sisters took the lead in the second quarter and led by two, 17-15, as they headed into the half.

Sisters held a two-point lead at the close of the third quarter and then stretched it out in the fourth.

JC used two zones and man-to-man, and then went into a half-court trap which gave the Outlaws trouble for several possessions. The Outlaws made a few position shifts and re-gained the lead.

The Outlaws had an 11-point lead at one time, which was cut to four due to turn-overs. Sisters managed to break through, and fight back for an 11-point victory.

Sisters again had balanced scoring, with the starters all scoring between six and 12 points in the game. Schaab finished with 12 points, Harrer recorded 11, Johnson tallied eight, and Larson added six.

Runco said, "Logan Schutte and Isaac Mackenzie did a great job off the bench, and played good defense and rebounded well. Steen (Johnson), Ben (Larson), and Keegan (Greaney) did a great job running the offense and knocking down big perimeter shots."

The Outlaws are currently 3-0 in league and 10-5 overall. Sisters was to play at Elmira on Tuesday, January 27. The Outlaws will play at home against Sutherlin on Friday, January 30.